Police officers. Photo: TheCable
The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, has declared the factional Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Osun State, Nurudeen Alowonle, wanted for the murder of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir.
Zungura disclosed this on Monday while parading suspects arrested for various crimes at the command’s headquarters in Osogbo, the state capital.
He said six people, including Alowonle’s Personal Assistant and an operative of the Amotekun Corps, have been arrested in connection with the September 13 killing of Emir at a motor park in Ile-Ife.
The CP said apart from Alowonle, operatives were intensifying efforts to arrest another NURTW chief, Ojo Adeyemi, over the murder.
He added that, according to confessions by the suspects, they were mobilised by Alowonle for the killing.
According to him, those already in police custody over Emir’s murder include: Tijani Ismail, Akinsola Ekundayo, Sijuade Moruf, Ayeni Adegbola, Hammed Dada and Waliyu Adejare.
He said the investigation into the killing led to the arrest of one Hammed Olalekan Dauda, alias Jagaban, who was allegedly involved in the crime and found in possession of a cut-to-size firearm.
“During interrogation, he reportedly confessed that the firearm was given to him by one Nurudeen Alowonle. Subsequent investigations also resulted in the arrest of Waliu Adejare, aka Jay Jay, a personal assistant to Nurudeen Alowonle, in connection with the incident. All the suspects were mobilised by Nurudeen Alowonle and Adeyemi Ojo aka Sibi.
“Alowonle is declared wanted. The Command is intensifying efforts to apprehend Nurudeen Alowonle, Adeyemi Ojo aka Sibi, and other suspects currently at large who are alleged to have participated in the heinous crime,” Zungura said.
The police boss also disclosed the arrest of one, Oniyefa Olayemi, in connection with the killing of four persons during a violent clash between rival groups at Alapa village, Toro Road, Ile-Ife.
He listed recovered exhibits as two dane guns, one small axe, 11 expended cartridges, one live cartridge, three empty shells of AK-47 rifle ammunition, among others.
He identified the four deceased persons as Toyin Olagbaju, Emmanuel Agunbiade, one Akeem and Ademola, also known as Small.
He said, “On 5th October, 2026, at about 0830hrs, the complainant from Odo Ogbe, Ile-Ife, reported at Police ‘B’ Division, Modakeke, that between 4th and 5th October, 2026, some armed men, numbering about ten, invaded Alapa Village and opened fire sporadically, resulting in the death of his mother, Toyin Olagbaju, aged 40.
“Following the report, detectives from the Homicide Section of the Command swung into action and commenced an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings revealed that two rival groups, allegedly led by one Awosunle Tosin, who is currently at large, and Emmanuel Agunbiade, also known as Abore, were engaged in a violent dispute over the control of a vast cocoa farm situated at Alapa Village. The clash reportedly resulted in multiple casualties.
“The Command subsequently arrested Oniyefa Olayemi, who is currently assisting the police with the ongoing investigation. Detectives who visited the scene observed evidence indicating the use of various calibres of firearms and ammunition during the incident.”
He assured that the Command will continue to work hard to rid Osun of criminal activities and called on residents to continue supporting the police to maintain law and order in the state.
The PUNCH reports that the Osun Amotekun Corps earlier said it handed over four operatives to the police to assist in the investigation into Emir’s death.